29Metals believes it will take one more successful wet season in terms of treated water releases from its crippled Capricorn Copper site before it can progress the restart of operations there.
The derisking of regulatory approvals for a long-term tailings storage facility is the second factor in that equation.
Capricorn Copper operations were most recently suspended in March last year after an extended period of rainfall resulting in a steady accumulation of water within regulated water storage structures.
The site, 120km north of Mount Isa, had still been clawing back from the impact of a deluge in 2023.
In its latest quarterly report, 29Metals said the North-West Queensland copper operation had used all opportunities for treated water releases to Gunpowder Creek when flow events occurred in the wet season ending April 2025.
‘With the benefit of a successful 2024/2025 wet season, the compliance footing of the asset has been significantly improved, with surface water levels now below the Maximum Operating Level and total water inventory reductions of 1.3 gigalitres achieved since the decision to suspend operations in March 2024,’ the company said.
The company said it was continuing talks with the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation in relation to a long-term tailings storage facility (TSF) solution for Capricorn Copper.
It said it was on track to submit an application for TSF 3 in the September quarter.
DETSI issued an order removing limits on the maximum volume of controlled treated water releases the operation was allowed to make over a 72-hour and 12-month period during the 2024/2025 wet season.
29Metals said this was critical to the successful treated water releases and inroads made in reducing on-site water.
It said DETSI had issued a new Environmental Enforcement Order during the past quarter that would allow treated water releases with the same criteria during the dry season should unseasonal rain and Gunpowder Creek flows occur.
The State Government has announced a Commission of Inquiry into the practices and conduct of the Queensland branch of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union.
Referencing the 1980s inquiry into police corruption under the Bjelke-Petersen government, Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie said this was Labor’s Fitzgerald moment and would end the protection racket for CFMEU thugs.
It aims to dig deeper into the violence, intimidation, misogyny and bullying exposed in a report by Geoffrey Watson SC.
“Under the Inquiry witnesses will be afforded protections and documents will be compelled to get to the bottom of this insidious militant behaviour that has terrorised Queensland for a decade,” Mr Bleijie said.
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has welcomed the announcement, saying it had long called for such an inquiry but on a federal level.
ACCI chief executive officer Andrew McKellar said the report by Geoffrey Watson SC which led to the inquiry in Queensland showed why a national inquiry with real teeth was needed.
“I commend the Queensland government for taking this action and actually trying to get to the bottom of these disturbing allegations of violence against people, even children,” Mr McKellar said.
“As the report by Geoffrey Watson SC concluded, there are too many potential witnesses who are refusing to give evidence because they fear for their own safety.
“Only an inquiry with the powers to compel witnesses to come forward is adequate to shine a light on what has been going on at the CFMEU for years.”
ACCI supported the move last year by the federal government to appoint an administrator at the CFMEU, saying it was an important first step.
It would like to see other measures introduced such as the reinstatement of a building and construction commission with the powers and resources to stamp out corrupt and illegal conduct in the construction industry and to work in synergy with the administrator.
It is also insisting that deregistration of the CFMEU must be on the table as an option for dealing with the union.
The State Government today blamed CFMEU action for directly adding $22 million to the Centenary Bridge Upgrade project. This included by delaying site access for deliveries and workers, as well as additional security to keep the site safe.
The situation deteriorated to the point where additional security personnel were employed and CCTV cameras installed to protect staff from violent and bullying behaviour by CFMEU representatives, it said.